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It's been 10 days since my last post - not good! I hope I will redeem myself with all of my up and coming trips! Until then please enjoy this list of my favorite things right now (in no particular order).

1. Fringe shirts

I can't get enough of these. I think they have a pleasing aesthetic, and are perfect for summer. Can't you just picture yourself at a concert or on a road trip in one of these? The one in the picture above is a work in progress. You can buy the completed shirt here.

This camera is wicked. It gives you the ability to focus pictures after they've been taken. I can just imagine the possibilities. Though I'd like to wait until the idea is further developed, you can still color me obsessed. The company also sells the cameras in electric blue and red.

3. Nylon Magazine

Maybe it's because they refer to colored hair as unicorn hair or their awesome taste in music, but this is my favorite magazine. I can pick up the magazine whenever. This is coming from someone who almost always will choose a book, any book, over a magazine. Just not Nylon. As an added bonus the font lettering they use is magical. The blogs aren't bad either. Check out the website here.

Sick of the websites yet? I've got one more for you. Doodlers anonymous is the site for the struggling doodle junkie. If you're struggling to find your fix for uberflabtastically weird and outrageous yet rad art and doodles this site is the place for you. With a community and mods offering a hoard of inspiration, the things I find on this site drip with talent.

5. Charlie Bartlett

I was surprised by this movie! Sure, it's a bit predictable but I found it to be a funny and eccentric film. It was weird. It was great.

6. Mugs

Some people become cat ladies. I am almost postitive I'm going to become a mug lady.

I'm only a little obsessed - especially with my B black and white mug from anthropologie. They have the best selection of mugs.

7. Iceland

So, no, I've never been. Maybe I'm intrigued by Sigur Ros and Of Monsters and Men, but the more I look at Iceland, the more I want to be there. Like now, please?

8. Dr. Dog

I like to call them the Dalis of music. The lyrics are absurdist and utterly mindblowing. I've been listening to 'That Old Black Hole' nonstop. Check out their other stuff!

9. Fauchon Tea

Last summer, I bought these two amazing teas at Fauchon - chai and the fauchon blend. Since then, I have not had tea as good as those. I'm almost out of the fauchon blend and ran out of the chai months ago. Too bad they don't ship the Chai to the US and the Fauchon blend is double the price.

10. Modcloth's Leipzig Hoodie

I know it's the middle of summer - and in Arkansas for crying out loud - but I think this hoodie is so beautifully understated. I can see myself in wearing this throughout fall and winter. The design and cut is sleek yet so comfortable looking. You could wear this in a city or at a bonfire.

It's currently out of stock, but if you're interested you can find it here.

Husky - Dark Sea. Known (somewhat) for History's Door.

07/05/2012

I'd like to start this post by wishing America a happy birthday and independence day.

Durango had a great parade. It was fun to compare it to past parades I've seen, including one in Maine last year. Definitely a prominent western theme here.

Even the horses are festive! Check out those painted hooves...

After the parade we checked out some art galleries. Amanda at Sorrel Sky Gallery had the loveliest dress on. She picked out the fabric in Rwanda and had the dress made. I love the navy wedges she paired with it!

Before all the parade festivities began, I noticed my lack of a red, white, and blue spirited outfit. Earlier in the trip, I ripped the leg of a pair of jeans. Instead of throwing them out, I cut them into shorts. The folds are decorated with Sharpie White Paint pen and the rest is oil pastel under a layer of modge podge. The shorts certainly served their purpose. I paired them with an oversized denim shirt of my dad's over a gradient blue tank. I even made an anklet from the excess fabric. I sense a DIY approaching?

Unfortunately, because of the burn ban, there were no firecrackers. Instead this song by Nat and Alex Wolff should do. I didn't want to go too video heavy, but if you are interested play Dear Prudence by the Beatles and Hey Bartholomew by Nat and Alex Wolff back to back. Both videos can be found on youtube. Bellow is 'Illuminated':

07/04/2012

If Colorado is breathtaking in the winter, I am not sure how how to exactly describe it in the summer. Durango (and the area around it) is like a dream - a very, active non-stop dream.

Saturday we headed over to the Farmer's Market in the morning. The handmade pottery above is so beautiful! We have some mugs from the same artist and they are great for chai tea in the winter.

I also got a great gluten-free lemon coconut muffin for breakfast.

We also helped ourselves to the delicious cherries for sale. There was also a great health foodstuff tent selling kombucha, kale, elm leaf chips, and all sorts of strange but delicious goodies.

What is a trip to Durango without the signature green chiles? I found myself pleasantly surprised by just how good this jam was.

What's that childish giddy-ment you hear? Just me when I saw these honey stick. I used to get these as child at the Little Rock Farmer's market when they were still sold by the Petit Jean honey people.

Sunday we headed out to Mesa Verde National park. It was hot, but still gorgeous. We caught a glimpse of the wildfires on the way up - they've ravaged so many homes but somehow still seem enchanting. It is terrible, I know. But with them does come new life.

The remnants of a wildfire years ago atop Mesa Verde.

The "Cliff Palace" dwellings. Amazing!

We toured the lovely James Ranch on Monday. It was so relaxing to sit and stare at the view. Those lucky cows!

Such a cute baby goat (kid). My little cousin devised a plan to buy him and his brother for $100 and keep them in his room. Let's see how that goes?

Today, we started the day by visiting the most curious natural hot spring formation I have ever seen. It's beautiful though.

After, it was off toward the wildflower meadow. The pictures simply cannot do it justice. We even made a little doe friend (not pictured, she wanted her privacy).

My favorite picture.

Unfortunately, an impending thunderstorm chased us off the Engineer Mountain wildflower trail.

We didn't have much luck the rest of the day.

The trail past this lily pond was too isolated and dangerous. It seemed easy, but the storm followed us and dusk wasn't far behind. We decided not to risk a bear or big cat confrontation.

In case you aren't aware, tomorrow is American Independence day! Be prepared to sport your red, white, and blue. Or, in my case I'm hoping watermelon, cream, and light blue passes enough as patriotic. Maybe I'll use red pastel on some beat up jean shorts?

This music video is too delightfully weird not to share.

06/30/2012

Its been a while since an inspiration post, huh? I've had these weird clay beads from Michael's for a while and they might as well go to some use. They are pretty sick looking after you get past that awkward layer of dust and grime that apparently comes with the purchase (avaliable at a location near you!).

I am a big fan of the multi-colors and layers. None two are alike.

What is inspiration good for if you don't apply it? This is a slightly sloppy version of how I would interpret a design based on the beads. I didn't exactly, 'color inside the lines', but what's the fun in that?

Until next time - which I promise will be a fun post.

06/27/2012

I wore my XXI romper with my vintage cream '70s' style shirt.

These boots are by Jonak Paris. I got them in Paris last summer and I absolutely cherish them. The sunglasses are my latest Anthropologie splurge.

Also quick update: I was so excited to head back downtown and take pictures. Unfortunately, yesterday was just not my day and turns out Monday -not Sunday - is Downtown's down day. Trying again soon, but of course I have little luck in these matters.

06/26/2012

Where I am passionate about style, art, science, and such, my sister is equally passionate about cooking. For the past week or so, my sis has participated as an assistance 'chef' at the the Clinton Library's cooking school. Friday night was the reception for the classes and I decided to head down there for lunch before hand. I whole-heartedly believe it is one of the best restaurants in Little Rock.

Then the real fun began...

Ever tried bacon-wrapped fried doughnuts?

Banana's Foster Fire!

Enjoy!

06/20/2012

To start, happy belated Father's day. I intended to get my dad a vintage band shirt, but that backfired. I intended to find a Beatles or a Grateful Dead shirt. Even a Rolling Stones or Chicago shirt would do. Instead I came home with an Alcatraz shirt. Yes, Alcatraz the prison. What's done is done. At least earlier he mention his love for San Fransico and Alcatraz (does that mean I can credit this as only a partial mishap?). Plus, my coffee fanatic dad did get a coffee maker.

The real reason I am kicking myself is because we went to the most fantastic area of Little Rock for lunch and I left my camera behind. At least I have an excuse to go back this weekend and take lots of pictures. To give a taste, the trip included the coolest green grassroots type cafe, a farmer's market, and stores that contribute to a great aesthetic.

Enough of that until this weekend.

One of my favorite, most inspiring stores is Anthropologie. Fortunately they are well stocked and I am able to have the time to save up when something catches my eye. Recently I bought the most amazing pair of sunglasses.

I may, just may, be a bit obsessed - but with good reason.

Apparently my schnoodle wants to get in on the action...

While still on the note of obsessions let us look at a bunch of brilliant things to obssess over (as follows).

Sorry about the glare, but since my trip to Paris (France, not Texas) last summer I have absolutely been in love with everything rose. From lotion to tea, I can not get enough of it. The above lip tint is by Fresh and is SPF 15. It leaves a great tint and leaves a faint rose flavor... swoon.

Meanwhile my sister has been obssessing over buying a hippie car and remodeling it to look like the mystery machine... Good luck!

The above is the product of my friends' combined obsession of my maxi dress and the book ladder in my home. I rather like it.

Lastly (I hope you are not getting too winded), I spent my entire school year obsessing and laboring over this 'ball gown'. I dyed the twine, wrapped it, gradiented, and put together the entire dress - it was a labor of love.

I'll close this post with my current music obssession: Of Monsters and Men. I've been listening to them for maybe a year and can not stop playing this song.

I know this is a long post, but in my defense I haven't posted in ten days. I'll try to avoid that in the future.

These are the coolest shoes : made in India, you walk in them through water and they conform to your feet. I'm desperately craving a pair.

Can't forget the all important (and blurry) portrait of the store pet!

06/01/2012

Once a week you guys will be blessed with viewing the content of my inspiration box (not a metaphor, it exists). So, I decided to start with some sea glass. It's perfect for summer and simply beautiful. Also, I collected all the sea glass in the pictures.